Senator Joan Lovely is in her fifth term as State Senator for the Second Essex District, comprised of Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. Senator Lovely has been serving in the Massachusetts Senate since January 2013. After raising a family in Salem with her husband, Senator Lovely went back to school to earn degrees from Salem State University and the Massachusetts School of Law. She began her activism at the local level when she collaborated with neighbors and volunteers to rebuild a local playground for children and families in Salem.
As the Commonwealth’s economy continues to rebound from pandemic closures, the Legislature’s commitment to supporting businesses, workers, and the overall health of our economy endures. In July of 2022, the Legislature enacted sports betting legislation to allow Massachusetts residents to place wagers on professional and most college sports, which the Governor signed on August 11, 2022. In addition, the Legislature included many key spending provisions to support small businesses and invest in our workforce.